Thermometer rack



M. A. BURT ET AL NW. 2n 1923.

THERMOMETER RACK Filed July 18, 1922 Patented Nov. 2%, l23. n

Mia

MARY ADALINE BURT, OF BROOKLYN, AND STANLEY JAY STANLEY, OF NEW YORK,

' N. Y.; SAID BURT ASSIGNOB TO SAID STANLEY.

THERMOMETER RACK.

Application filed. July 18,

T (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that MARY A. BURT and STANLEY J. STANLEY, both citizens of the United States, and residing at Brooklyn 6 and New York city, respectively, State of New York, have invented. certain new and useful Improvements in Thermometer Racks,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates generally to racks, 1c and particularly to portable racks for holding thermometers or similar instruments, the primary object of the invention being to provide means whereby individualthermometers for patients in hos- 16 pitals or other institutions where numbers of patients are treated, may be properly maintained in sanitary condition, and so identified that each patient is assured of the use of his personal thermometer at all to times.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rack of the character stated wherein the several thermometers are all held separate from each other, and in such manner that breakage, either of the thermometers themselves or their retaining members, is minimized if not entirely obviated.

A further object is to provide a rack, which in addition to, holding the several thermometers, is furnished with equipment for facilitating the sanitary use of the thermometers.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a thermometer rack which is so constructed that the thermometers or their containers may be-readily removed from the rack when required; which is so formed that it may be quickly and thoroughly cleaned and at all times maintained in sanitary condition; which is of light 'weight and compact form; which may be manufactured at low cost; which may be readily carried about, and which will prove thoroughly practical and efficient in use.

With these objects in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully described hereinafter, illustrated in the drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

. Fig. l is a side elevation of a thermometer rack constructed in accordance with the inventionO I 1922. Serial No. 575,887.

2 is a top plan view of the rack, and

F 1g. 3 is a transverse section taken substantially upon the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

The racln constituting the invention includes shelves or plates 4, 5 and 6; these plates being all of the same size and configuration, and are disposed in superposed relation parallel with each other. In the present instance these plates are of rectangular shape, and the plate t constitutes the base. The plates may be made of any preferred material, wood being highly satisfactory, but in any instance the plates should be enameled, japanned or in other ways treated to present polished surfaces, free from crevices or other places for the accumulation of infective matter, and which will permit of the plates being easily and quickly washed.

The intermediate plate 5 and the top plate 6 are secured to the base plate 4 by means of the posts or standards 7 these standards rising from the base plate, passing through the intermediate plate, and being secured at their upper ends in the top plate 6. Tacks or nails 8 may be used for securing the posts and the several plates together, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, or the said posts may be attached to the plates by glue or cement, where wood is the material of which the rack is constructed, and where metal is employed welding may be resorted to in securing these parts together.

The top and intermediate plates 6 and 5 respectively are provided. near their longitudinal edges with series of openings for the reception of containers 9 for the thermometers, and the openings are alined with each other so that the said containers will be held in proper upright position. These c0ntainers are formed preferably of glass, and are of such length that when resting at their lower ends upon the upper surface of the base plate 4:, the upper ends thereof will terminate even with or slightly above the upper surface of the top plate 6. The openings in the top and intermediate plates are of such size as tosnugly accommodate the tubes or containers 9, and thereby prevent any lateral movement of the tubes within the rack. Each tube or container will be identified by a name or number inscribed upon the top plate quickly observable by the nurse or attendant. In the present instance numhere are used for this purpose, shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, these numbers being applied to the top plate in near proximity to their respective tubes or containers.

The rack is provided with jars or glasses indicated at 10 for holding used and unused wipes for the thermometers. These jars are of relative large size, and fit within openings provided in the top plate 6 near the ends thereof. The jars rest upon the intermediate plate 5, and, like the tubes or thermometer containers, may be easily removed when required.

The top plate, near one side, is provided with an opening to receive andsnugly accommodate a jar, glass or container 11 for a suitable lubricant, necessary in using the thermometers in some instances. Thisjar or glass also rests upon the intermediate plate 5.

The top plate is provided with a handle 12 disposed midway the ends and sides of the said plate, to enable the rack to be conveniently carried about, and this handle is positioned so that the rack will be evenly balanced when being carried.

The under face of the base plate a is provided with feet 13, preferably of rubber, upon which the rack rests.

By constructing the rack in the manner stated, it is apparent that the individual thermometers of the several patients are provided with their individual containers or tubes, properly marked so as to identify the patients to whom they belong. The containers will be kept filled with an antiseptic solution in order that the thermometers will at all times be maintained in sanitary con dition. When a thermometer is used, a wipe of cotton or other material in the wipe jar.

will be used to absorb the moisture upon the thermometer and after the thermometer has been used it will again be wiped and the used wipes thrown into the other jar 10 provided for the purpose.

In constructing the rack as described, itis apparent that the several objects set forth,

are accomplished. By the use of such a rack, the several patients are assured of having their own thermometers used, and by the naming or numbering of the several thermometer tubes danger of confusion or mixing of the thermometers is avoided. The rack is constructed so that all parts thereof are easily accessible for cleaning purposes; the several tubes, containers and jars or glasses being readily removable for this purpose.

The lower plate, it is noted, is not pro vided with sockets or recesses to receive the lower ends of the jars or glasses, and therefore danger of accumulation of infective matter thereon is eliminated. The intermediate plate is positioned relatively close to the base plate, so that the points of lateral engagement of the tubes with the intermediate and top plates are relatively far parallel superimposed relation and'connected together, a handle attached to the top most of said plates at thecenter thereof, a series of relatively small tubes carried by said plates near the longitudinal edges thereor", relatively large jars carried by said plates and disposed in the longitudinal center of the topmost of said plates, and a lubricant jar carried'by said plates inwardly from one of the series of tubes.

2. In a device of the class described, base,

intermediate and top plates, standards connecting said plates and maintaining the same in spaced parallel superimposed relation, the intermediate and top plates having a series of openings near their longitudinal edges, the top plate having relatively large openings in its longitudinal center and spaced equally from the transverse center of the plate, a handle at the transverse center of the said topplate, and the said top plate having an opening therein in its transverse center and disposed inwardly from one of the series of openings.

3. In a thermometer rack, a plurality of plates arranged in parallel superimposed relation, certain of said plates constituting top and intermediate plates, the saicltop and intermediate plates having alined openings to receive thermometer containers, and wipe containers, at least one of which is supported by said intermediate plate and extends through said top plate, the wipe container'being in balanced relation with respect to the central vertical axis of the rack.

4c. In a device of the class described, a rack comprising parallel superimposed plates connected together, a handle for the rack rising from the center portion of the upper plate thereof, a series of relatively small tubes extending through holes'arranged near each longitudinal edge of said upper plate and spaced equal distances from said handle, and wipe containers of relatively large breadth and shallow depth carried by said rack in balanced relation with respect to the handle and with the bottoms thereof a substantial disiance above the lowermost plate of the rac r.

5. In a thermometer rack, parallel plates arranged in superimposed relation, posts connecting said plates adjacent the ends thereof, the top plate of the rack having a series of openings therein adjacent each longitudinal edge, each series spaced equal distances from the longitudinal center of said plate, a relatively large Wipe container carried by said rack near each end thereof and disposed in said longitudinal center and spaced equal distances from the transverse 10 center of the rack, all of said containers and openings arranged inwardly from the transverse lines of said posts.

In testimony whereof We hereunto affix our signatures.

MARY ADALINE BURT. STANLEY JAY STANLEY. 

